Air directing device

ABSTRACT

An air directing device for thermal management in side breathing equipment includes at least three vertical panels disposed in generally parallel relationship and horizontally spaced a fixed distance from one another. Each panel defines a fin arranged orthogonally relative to an airflow path for deflection of cooling air into side breathing equipment. At least one of the panels is an inner panel that is wider than two outer panels. The air directing device further includes at least one connection member connecting the outer panels to one another.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a U.S. continuation patent application of,and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to, U.S. nonprovisional patentapplication Ser. No. 16/182,276, filed Nov. 6, 2018, which '276application published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2019/0073004 A1 on Mar. 7, 2019, which '276 application issued as U.S.Pat. No. 11,132,035 on Sep. 28, 2021, which '276 application, theapplication publication thereof, and the patent issuing therefrom areeach incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, and which '276application is a U.S. nonprovisional patent application of, and claimspriority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to, U.S. nonprovisional patentapplication Ser. No. 12/372,738, filed Feb. 17, 2009, which '738application published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2009/0227197 A1 on Sep. 10, 2009, which '738 application issued as U.S.Pat. No. 10,133,320 on Nov. 20, 2018, which '738 application, theapplication publication thereof, and the patent issuing therefrom areeach incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, and which '738application is a U.S. nonprovisional patent application of, and claimspriority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to, U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 61/028,620, filed Feb. 14, 2008 and entitled, “AIRDIRECTING DEVICE,” which '620 application is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyrightprotection under the copyright laws of the United States and of othercountries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimilereproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure,as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records,but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION Field of the Present Invention

The present invention relates generally to enclosures for electronicequipment, and, in particular, to thermal management in enclosures forrack-mount computer and data storage equipment.

Background

Racks, frames and enclosures for mounting and storing computer and otherelectronic components or equipment have been well known for many years.Racks and frames are typically simple rectangular frameworks on whichelectronic components may be mounted, or on which other mountingmembers, such as shelves or brackets, may be mounted which in turn maysupport the electronic components. Enclosures are typically frames onwhich panels or doors, or both, are hung to provide aestheticimprovement, to protect the components from external influences, toprovide security for the components stored inside, or for other reasons.

Racks, frames and enclosures have been built in many different sizes andwith many different proportions in order to best accommodate thecomponents which they are designed to store. Components stored in theseenclosures may include audio and video equipment and the like, but quitefrequently include computer equipment and related peripheral devices.These components typically include housings enclosing internal operativeelements.

As is also well known, the electronic equipment mounted therein tends togenerate large amounts of thermal energy that needs to be exhausted awayfrom the equipment effectively in order to maintain the equipment inproper operating order or to prevent damage thereto. The problem can beespecially significant when the components are enclosed in enclosures,because thermal energy generated thereby can concentrate within theequipment enclosure and cause the components to overheat and shut down.As equipment becomes more densely packed with electronics, thequantities of thermal energy have continued to increase in recent years,and thermal energy management has become a significant issue confrontingtoday's rack, enclosure, frame and enclosure manufacturers, themanufacturers of the electronic equipment, and the users of suchequipment.

Typically, multiple racks, frames, enclosures, and the like (sometimescollectively referred to hereinafter as “enclosures”) are housedtogether in a data center. Because of the overheating problem, andparticularly with multiple enclosures being placed in a single room orother enclosed space, thermal management of the data center is veryimportant. A goal of data center thermal management is to maximize theperformance, uptime and life expectancy of the active components beinghoused in the data center. This goal is generally accomplished bymanaging the cold air delivered to each component, and the hot airremoved therefrom, such that the internal temperature of the componentdoes not exceed the manufacturer's maximum allowable operatingtemperature. Preferably, the cold air delivered to the component is ator below the manufacturer's recommended temperature and in sufficientvolume to meet the airflow requirements of the component, which aretypically measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM).

The supply of cool air to the enclosures, and the transfer of thermalenergy from the electronic equipment, is conventionally handled by theComputer Room Air Conditioner (“CRAC”). Airflow into the enclosuresgenerally relies solely or at least primarily on the air pressuredifferential as measured between a raised floor plenum and the ambientroom. However, active means are often used to push or pull heated airout of the enclosures.

For a particular component, thermal energy is transferred from itshousing using forced air convection. More specifically, internal fansmay draw or push air through the housing from front-to-rear or fromside-to-side over the heated internal elements within the housing. Theair absorbs the thermal energy from the internal elements and carries itaway as it exits the housing.

Two common problems that affect thermal management of equipmentenclosures are recirculation and bypass. Recirculation occurs when hotexhaust air travels back into the component intake air stream.Recirculation can occur for a single component or for an entireenclosure. When this occurs, the exhaust airflow raises intake airtemperatures and causes components to run at higher operatingtemperatures. Bypass occurs when cold source air bypasses the activecomponent and travels directly into the hot exhaust air stream.Similarly to recirculation, bypass may occur for a single component orfor a whole enclosure. Because cold source air is bypassing the activecomponent, the air is not serving its intended purpose of transferringthermal energy away from the active component. As such, the bypassingair is essentially wasted, and the active component retains its thermalenergy until additional cold source air contacts the active componentthereby transferring the thermal energy away from the component. Basedon the foregoing, it is readily apparent that bypass wastes energy. Inaddition, bypass contributes to humidity control problems, and canindirectly contribute to recirculation. Under ideal circumstances, allrecirculation and bypass airflow can be eliminated.

Often it is difficult for side breathing, or transversely aspirated,equipment to collect inlet cooling air in a conventionally configuredenclosure having a perforated or open front or back panel but havingclosed side panels. Typically, air enters the enclosure throughperforated metal front and rear doors. As shown schematically in FIG.1A, the airflow is routed around the enclosure frame structure, alongthe side space of the enclosure and around bundles of network cables(not shown) located there before turning in a generally orthogonaldirection in order to enter into the equipment intake. The high velocityor momentum of the air as it makes the orthogonal turn typicallygenerates a swirl pattern (or vortex) in the network equipment chassis.The air vortex creates the problem of recirculation that was describedabove. As shown in FIG. 1B, temperatures in the vicinity of a vortexzone (with temperature zones being shown by the dashed lines), and thusthe temperatures of equipment located in such an area, are typicallysignificantly higher due to the reduced heat removal associated withrecirculation. More particularly, the temperature in side areas 142 ishigher than the temperature in the area 140 near the intake, which is tobe expected, but the air in the center of the vortex 144 is considerablyhigher, perhaps dangerously so, than in the other areas 140,142.Typically, imposed recirculation in fully enclosed equipment enclosureshaving side breathing equipment installed therein is not considered froma thermal management perspective.

Although some attention has been given to the cooling of side breathingequipment, most of this work has been focused on the containment anddirecting of hot exhaust air out of the enclosure. When inlet air forside breathing equipment has been addressed, the side breathingequipment has been placed in a enclosure with a vented side panel orwith the side panel removed. Additionally, side breathing equipment hassometimes been installed in an open frame having no panels at all. Whilethese solutions are valuable, it is not always possible to place sidebreathing equipment in a enclosure with no side panel or in an enclosurewith no panels whatsoever. Accordingly, a need exists for a thermalmanagement solution for side breathing equipment involving a moreconventional enclosed enclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention includes many aspects and features. Moreover,while many aspects and features relate to, and are described in, thecontext of enclosures for storage of electronic equipment, the presentinvention is not limited to use only in enclosures for storage ofelectronic equipment, as will become apparent from the followingsummaries and detailed descriptions of aspects, features, and one ormore embodiments of the present invention.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention relates to an airdirecting device for thermal management in side breathing equipment. Anexemplary such device includes at least three vertical panels disposedin generally parallel relationship and horizontally spaced a fixeddistance from one another, each panel defining a fin arrangedorthogonally relative to an airflow path for deflection of cooling airinto side breathing equipment, wherein at least one of the panels is aninner panel that is wider than two outer panels. Furthermore, at leastone connection member connecting the outer panels to one another.

In a feature of this aspect of the invention, the at least oneconnection member is two connection plates, each positioned at opposingends of the panels. In a further feature, each connection plate has a Tshape. In yet a further feature, a length of a cross portion of each Tshaped connection plate is measured as a first distance between theouter panels, and a length of a trunk portion of each T shapedconnection plate is the width of the inner panel.

In another feature of this aspect, the at least three vertical panelsare three vertical panels. In yet another feature, the at least threevertical panels are four vertical panels. Alternatively, the panelsinclude two front panels and two rear panels. In yet another feature,the two front panels mirror the two back panels. In yet another feature,the at least three vertical panels include two inner panels. Inalternatives of this feature, the two inner panels are the same widthand the two outer panels are the same width.

Another aspect of the invention relates to an electronic equipmentenclosure. An exemplary such enclosure includes an air directing devicedisposed in a side space of the enclosure having at least two verticalpanels of differing widths disposed a fixed horizontal distance from oneanother. Furthermore, in this aspect of the invention, a first panel ofthe at least two vertical panels directs a first portion of airflowthrough a side space in the enclosure toward side breathing equipmentmounted in the enclosure but permits a second portion of airflow throughthe side space to pass by. Still yet in this aspect, a second panel ofthe at least two vertical panels directs at least a portion of thesecond portion of airflow toward the side breathing equipment.

In a feature of this aspect of the invention, the at least two verticalpanels are disposed in parallel relationship to the front and rear ofthe enclosure. Alternatively, the air directing device includes threevertical panels. In another feature of this aspect of the invention, theair directing device includes four vertical panels. In yet anotherfeature, the air directing device is mounted to internal structuralmembers of the enclosure. Alternatively, the air directing device ismounted to a side panel of the enclosure or is aligned with an airintake grille of the side breathing equipment mounted in the enclosure.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of directingairflow within an enclosure having electronic equipment mounted therein.An exemplary such method includes an air directing device having atleast two vertical panels of different widths in a side space formedbetween the electronic equipment and a side panel of the enclosure;routing airflow into at least a front or a rear of the enclosure andthen into the side space; directing a first portion of the airflow,using a first panel of the at least two vertical panels, toward theequipment but permitting a second portion of the airflow to pass by; anddirecting at least a portion of the second portion of the airflow, usingthe second panel of the at least two vertical panels, toward theequipment.

In features of this aspect of the invention, the electronic equipment isside breathing electronic equipment having at least one air intakegrille facing the side space, and wherein the directing steps includedirecting the respective portions of the airflow toward the at least oneair intake grille. In a further feature of this aspect of the invention,the air directing device has at least three vertical panels of at leasttwo different widths in the side space, the at least three verticalpanels defining at least one inner panel and at least two outer panels,with the inner panel being wider than an outer panel.

In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the presentinvention, it should be noted that the present invention furtherencompasses the various possible combinations and subcombinations ofsuch aspects and features.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features, embodiments, and advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description withreference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view of a conventionalenclosed enclosure having side breathing equipment installed thereinshowing a temperature diagram of the air flowing through the enclosure;

FIG. 1B is a computer simulation of the temperature inside aconventional enclosed enclosure, having side breathing equipmentinstalled therein, as seen from inside the enclosure looking downward;

FIG. 2A is an isometric view of an electronic equipment enclosure systemhaving an air directing device in accordance with one or more preferredembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is an isometric schematic view of the enclosure system of FIG.2A;

FIG. 3A is a front orthogonal view of the electronic equipment enclosureof FIG. 1, shown with the doors and panels removed, illustrating the airdirecting device installed therein;

FIG. 3B is a front plan view of the electronic equipment enclosure ofFIG. 3A, shown with the air directing device removed;

FIG. 3C is a right side plan view of the electronic equipment enclosureof FIG. 3A, shown with the air directing device removed;

FIG. 3D is a back plan view of the electronic equipment enclosure ofFIG. 3A, shown with the air directing device removed;

FIG. 3E is a top plan view of the electronic equipment enclosure of FIG.3A, shown with the air directing device removed;

FIG. 3F is a left side plan view of the electronic equipment enclosureof FIG. 3A, shown with the air directing device removed;

FIG. 4A is a front orthogonal view of the internal exhaust duct of FIG.3A, shown with the air directing device and the lowermost filler panelassembly removed;

FIG. 4B is a front orthogonal view of the internal exhaust duct of FIG.4A, shown with all of the adjustable filler panel assemblies removed;

FIG. 4C is a top plan view of the internal exhaust duct of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is an orthogonal view of the air directing device of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the air directing device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the air directing device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a right side view of the air directing device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view of an enclosure,with an air directing device and side breathing equipment installedtherein, showing a temperature diagram of the air flowing through theenclosure;

FIG. 10 is a computer simulation of the temperature inside an enclosure,having an air directing device mounted therein in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention, as seen from inside theenclosure looking downward;

FIG. 11 is an isometric schematic view, shown with a side breathingequipment, utilizing side-to-side cooling, installed therein;

FIG. 12 is a top cross-sectional schematic view of the enclosure systemof FIG. 11, taken along line 11-11;

FIG. 13 is a right side view of an embodiment of an air directing devicein accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; and

FIG. 14 is a top view of the air directing device of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one havingordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the presentinvention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodimentdiscussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be partof a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention.Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrativepurposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the presentinvention. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations,modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosedby the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of thepresent invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detailin relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that thisdisclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, andis made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enablingdisclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein ofone or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, tolimit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention,which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof.It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded thepresent invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitationfound herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps ofvarious processes or methods that are described herein are illustrativeand not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, althoughsteps of various processes or methods may be shown and described asbeing in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processesor methods are not limited to being carried out in any particularsequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps insuch processes or methods generally may be carried out in variousdifferent sequences and orders while still falling within the scope ofthe present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope ofpatent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by theappended claims rather than the description set forth herein.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refersto that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to meanbased on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that themeaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisanbased on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from anyparticular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that themeaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan shouldprevail.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an”each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a pluralityunless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “apicnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having atleast one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” Incontrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes“a picnic basket having only one apple.”

When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one ofthe items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus,reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “apicnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket havingcrackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese andcrackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and”denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnicbasket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket havingcheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well asdescribes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basketfurther has cheese.”

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent likecomponents throughout the several views, the preferred embodiments ofthe present invention are next described. The following description ofthe preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in noway intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

FIG. 2A is an isometric view of an electronic equipment enclosure system10 having an air directing device 112 in accordance with one or morepreferred embodiments of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is anisometric schematic view of the enclosure system 10 of FIG. 2A. As showntherein, the enclosure system 10, which may be generally conventional,includes a front panel 2, a rear panel 3, a pair of side panels 4 and atop panel 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the front panel 2 isimplemented as a single hinged door and the back panel 3 is implementedas a pair of hinged doors. In this regard, it will be apparent thatvarious replacement components may be substituted for the components ofthe enclosure system, without departing from the scope of the presentinvention.

Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the top panel 5 isillustrated as a central top panel 6 and a top panel extension kit 7,wherein the top panel extension kit 7 may include a plurality of toppanel elements that are each co-planar with the central top panel 6, butother arrangements will be apparent to the Ordinary Artisan.

FIG. 3A is a front orthogonal view of the electronic equipment enclosureof FIGS. 2A and 2B, shown with the doors and panels removed,illustrating the air directing device installed therein, and FIGS. 3B-3Fare various views of the electronic equipment enclosure 10 of FIG. 3A,shown with the air directing device 112 removed. FIGS. 3A-3F illustratevarious components included or utilizable in one or more implementationsof the present invention. As shown therein, the various panels aresupported by a four post frame structure 16. The panels may form part ofan enclosure expansion kit of the type shown and described incommonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/837,537, publishedas U.S. Ser. No. 08/003,5810 and entitled “OFFSET BRACKETS FOR EXPANDINGELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT CABINETS,” the entirety of each of which isincorporated herein by reference. As further described in the Ser. No.11/837,537 application, the enclosure expansion kit may include aplurality of offset brackets 18 and one or more center support brackets19. Alternatively, the enclosure may be a traditional enclosure (notshown) in which the various panels, including front and/or rear doorspanels, are disposed directly adjacent the frame structure instead ofbeing supported by offset support brackets 18.

Although some of the brackets shown in U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/837,537 are not the same as those shown in the present invention, itwill be appreciated that any such bracket may be utilized withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, theconcept of an expanded equipment enclosure is aptly shown therein andthe Ordinary Artisan will understand how an expansion kit with thebrackets 18 shown herein would work. In summary, eight offset brackets18 are attached to the four post frame structure 16 for mounting ofpanels associated with the expansion kit. In the present invention, thebrackets 18 are designed so as not to intrude into the spaces created inthe sides of the enclosure 10 between the four post frame structure 16and the panels of the expansion kit. As will be described more fullybelow, the spaces in the sides of the enclosure 10 between the four postframe structure 16 and the side panels of the expansion kit may befilled by internal exhaust ducts 12, an example of which is shown on theleft side of the enclosure 10 in FIGS. 3A-3F.

The interior four post frame structure 16 may be of conventional designand construction, such as that shown in U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/837,537, and in fact the present invention is perhaps most applicableto, and useful with, conventional four post frame structures. As shownand described, the four post frame structure 16 includes four verticalmembers 20, upper and lower front cross members 22,23 upper and lowerrear cross members 24,25, a pair of upper side cross members 26 and apair of lower side cross members 28. A plurality of cross memberattachment apertures are arranged at each end of each vertical member20. Two of the vertical members 20 are connected together at their upperand lower ends by the upper and lower front cross members 22,23,respectively, and the other two vertical members 20 are connectedtogether at their upper and lower ends by the upper and lower rear crossmembers 24,25, respectively. The front cross members 22,23 and theirrespective vertical members 20 thus define a front frame 30, and therear cross members 24,25 and their respective vertical members 20 definea rear frame 32. The front and rear frames 30,32 may then be connectedtogether at their respective corners by the upper and lower side crossmembers 26,28.

Any known connection means may be used to join the various memberstogether. Although not illustrated herein, at least one example ofconventional connection means is described in commonly-assigned U.S.Pat. No. 6,185,098, entitled “CO-LOCATION SERVER CABINET,” the entiretyof which is incorporated herein by reference. Although likewise notillustrated herein, the precision and the stability of each of thecorners of at least some types of four post frame structures may beenhanced by utilizing a self-squaring corner attachment bracket such asthat disclosed by the commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,117 entitled“RACK FRAME CABINET,” the entirety of which is hereby incorporated byreference.

A four post frame structure 16 may further comprise horizontal mountingrails with each horizontal mounting rail including two rows of mountingapertures extending along its entire length. Optionally, verticalmounting rails (not shown) may be mounted to the horizontal mountingrails. Each vertical mounting rail preferably includes a series ofevenly-spaced, threaded mounting apertures, extending alongsubstantially its entire length, for use in mounting electroniccomponents and equipment, peripheral devices, cable brackets, additionalmounting members, or the like thereto.

The internal exhaust duct 12 is disposed between a side of the four postframe structure 16 and a side panel 6 of the expansion kit. The internalexhaust duct 12 may be positioned on either the left or right side ofthe enclosure 10, depending on the side of the enclosure 10 throughwhich it is desired for exhaust air to be removed. Based on theplacement of the internal exhaust duct 12, one of ordinary skill in theart will understand that the internal exhaust duct 12 and adjustablepanel assemblies 14 as described herein are perhaps most useful whenused in conjunction with equipment through which air flows in a side toside direction, i.e., cool air intake on one side and exhaust airrelease on the other side, rather than equipment through which air flowsin a front to back direction. However, it will be appreciated thatsimilar adjustable panel assemblies may likewise be utilized with airducts that are located in the front or rear of an enclosure as wellwithout departing from the scope of the present invention. As shown inFIGS. 3A-3F, the duct 12 extends along the full height of the enclosure10. However, in at least some embodiments, the duct 12 may extend only aportion of the height of the enclosure 10.

As is shown, a rear portion of the exhaust duct 12, having a rearopening 34 extends beyond the rear frame 32 of the four post framestructure 16. The rear opening 34 in the rear portion enables exhaustair to flow therethrough. Although not shown, the rear portion may abutthe back panel 4 of the enclosure expansion kit; thus, exhaust air mayflow through the rear opening 34 of the exhaust duct 12 and out throughor past the back panel 4 of the enclosure 10. In at least someembodiments, exhaust air may flow through the rear opening 34 and outthrough perforations (not shown) in the back panel 4. Additionally, therear opening 34 of the exhaust duct 12 may be located at any point alongthe height of the duct 12 or the rear opening 34 may open at the top orbottom of the duct 12.

The exhaust duct 12 also includes a generally rectangular shaped inletopening 36 (perhaps most fully appreciated in FIG. 4B) into the interior38 of the enclosure 10 that is preferably located near the front frame30 of the enclosure 10 and extends substantially the entire heightthereof. However, in at least some embodiments, the inlet opening 36 islocated near the rear frame 32, while in at least some otherembodiments, the inlet opening 36 is centered between the front frame 30and the rear frame 32. Also, in at least some embodiments, the inletopening 36 extends only a portion of the height of the enclosure 10. Aswill be explained more fully below, exhaust air from equipment stored inthe enclosure 10 is routed into the inlet opening 36 of the duct 12 andis then routed out of the enclosure 10 through the rear opening 34 ofthe duct 12.

As perhaps best shown in FIGS. 3A and 3C, one or more adjustable fillerpanel assemblies 14 may be disposed as desired in the inlet opening 36of the internal exhaust duct 12. In the particular arrangementillustrated, four adjustable filler panel assemblies 14 are disposed inthe inlet opening 36. It will be appreciated that the four illustratedpanel assemblies 14 are merely exemplary of the various combinations ofpanel assemblies 14 that could be used in the inlet opening 36 of theexhaust duct 12. The filler panel assemblies 14 selectively close offportions of the inlet opening 36 of the internal exhaust duct 12 andcreate a barrier between the exhaust duct 12 and the interior 38 of theenclosure 10 so that air passing from equipment mounted in the enclosure10 through exhaust openings 40 into the exhaust duct 12 does not returnfrom the exhaust duct 12 back into the interior 38 of the enclosure 10.For example, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A-3F, an exhaust opening40 is left between the lowermost filler panel assembly 14 and the nexthigher filler panel assembly 14. This opening 40 is utilized to releaseair exhausted by equipment stored in the enclosure 10 into the exhaustduct 12. More particularly, the opening 40 that is formed in the exhaustduct inlet 36 may be aligned with the exhaust grilles of one or moreparticular pieces of equipment so that air exhausted by the equipment isrouted into and through the exhaust duct 12 and out the rear of theenclosure 10. Through proper sizing and alignment of one or more fillerpanel assemblies 14, further described hereinbelow, the exhaust opening40 may be sized and aligned appropriately to fit the exhaust grille orgrilles of the particular piece or pieces of equipment to avoid airexhausted by the equipment escaping into the interior 38 of theenclosure 10 and adding undesirable heat to the enclosure 10.Furthermore, as further described hereinbelow, it is preferred that theinlet opening 36 of the duct 12 and edges of the filler panel assembly14 that are in contact with active equipment be fitted with a compliantsealing material such as a rubber seal 57, perhaps best shown in FIGS.8-11, to minimize air leakage into the interior 38 of the enclosure 10.

As described previously, network switches tend to generate a largeamount of heat and therefore are often of particular concern whenconsidering thermal management of an enclosure. However, it will beappreciated by the Ordinary Artisan that the present invention islikewise applicable to a wide variety of other types of equipment.

It will further be appreciated that because of the adjustable nature ofthe filler panel assemblies 14, the placement and sizing of each exhaustopening 40 is also adjustable. Each opening 40 may be made larger orsmaller depending, for example, on the size of the exhaust grille orgrilles of the particular piece or pieces of equipment, and it may becreated higher or lower in the enclosure 10 depending on the placementof the particular piece or pieces of equipment from which air is beingexhausted. Additionally, although not shown, multiple exhaust openings40 may be created for multiple pieces of equipment. In essence, theadjustable filler panel assembly 14 enables the exhaust duct 12 to becustom fit to the particular piece or pieces of equipment.

FIGS. 4A-4C are various views of the internal exhaust duct of FIG. 3A,shown with the air directing device and one or more of the lowermostfiller panel assemblies removed. The exhaust duct 12 is somewhatbox-like in shape having opposing inner 42 and outer side walls 44,opposing top and bottom walls 46,48, and a front side wall 50. Asexplained above, the rear portion opening 34 enables exhausted air toflow therethrough to the rear of the enclosure 10. Each of the walls mayinclude one or more panels. The outer side wall 44 is preferably acontinuous or solid panel, however, the inner side wall 42 isbifurcated, with a first portion extending from the inlet opening 36 tothe rear vertical member 20 and a second portion, inset from the firstportion as perhaps best shown in FIG. 4C, extending from the rearvertical member 20 to the rear of the exhaust duct 12. Together, thefirst and second wall portions define an additional opening 52 forreceipt of a vertical member 20 of the frame structure 16 of theenclosure 10. The inner and outer side walls 42,44 may be held in placerelative to each other by one or more spacers 43. When the exhaust duct12 is installed in an enclosure 10, the front wall 50 is oriented towardthe front of the enclosure 10, the outer side wall 44 is oriented towardone of the side panels 6 of the expansion kit, and the inner panel 42 isoriented toward the interior 38 of the enclosure 10 so that the inletopening 36 may be aligned with the exhaust grille or grilles ofequipment mounted in the enclosure 10.

The exhaust duct 12 thus forms a substantially enclosed structure withthe exception of the rear portion opening 34, the inlet opening 36 andpreferably the frame structure opening 52. However, the frame structureopening 52 is enclosed and sealed by the frame structure 16 when theexhaust duct 12 is installed in the enclosure 10, and much of the inletopening 36 is closed by the plurality of adjustable filler panelassemblies 14. As such, air that flows into the exhaust duct 12 throughthe exhaust openings 40 formed in the inlet opening 36 is directed outthe rear opening 34 of the exhaust duct 12 to the rear of the enclosure10 where it is exhausted out of the enclosure 10.

The bifurcation of the inner side wall 42 may assist in the installationof the internal air duct 12 within the enclosure 10. In particular, theportion of the inner side wall 42 nearest the rear of the enclosure 10,together with a portion of the top wall 46 and a portion of the bottomwall 48, may be separable from the remainder of the air duct 12 (withthe line of separation visible, for example, in FIG. 4C), therebypermitting the two sections of the air duct 12 to be installedseparately. This, in turn, may permit a close fit to be obtained aroundthe rear vertical frame member 20 on the side of the enclosure 10 wherethe air duct 12 is installed, wherein the rear vertical frame member 20fits neatly into the opening 52 in the inner side wall 42.

FIGS. 5-8 are various views of the air directing device 112 of FIG. 3A.As shown therein, the air directing device 112 includes four verticalplanar structures or panels 118,119,120,121 disposed in generallyparallel relationship with one another and with the front and rearpanels of the enclosure 10. Two outer panels 118,119 have similar widthand two inner panels 120,121 have similar width with the two outerpanels 118,119 being relatively less wide than the two inner panels120,121. As used herein, the width of the panels 118,119,120,121 andparticularly the width of the inner panels 120,121 defines the depth ofthe air directing device 112. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the two sides ofthe air directing device 112 are symmetric with respect to one anotheralong imaginary line 130.

The panels 118,119,120,121 are horizontally spaced a fixed distance fromone another and are connected via top and bottom connection plates 122.The connection plates 122 are generally T-shaped with the cross arm 124of the T-shape being relatively longer than the trunk 126 of theT-shape. The length of the cross arm 124 is determined by the distancebetween the two outer panels 118,119 of the air directing device 112,which in turn may be determined by the dimensions of the electronicequipment with which the air directing device is to be used. The widthof the cross arm 124 is determined by the width of the two outer panels118,119. The length of the trunk 126 of the T-shape is determined by thewidth of the two inner panels 120,121.

The air directing device 112 is disposed in the side space 114 of theenclosure 10, and more specifically, the air directing device 112 isvertically positioned near the inlet grille (not shown) of an activeside breathing piece of equipment 128 so that the air directing device112 is oriented generally orthogonally to the side breathing equipment128. As used herein, the term “side breathing equipment” may beunderstood to include any equipment that utilizes side-to-side cooling.

The vertical panels 118,119,120,121 form vertical fins that deflectcooling air into side breathing equipment 128 mounted in the enclosure10. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the inner panels120,121 are dimensioned such that their outer ends come in nearproximity to the enclosure side panel, as shown in FIG. 6, and thereforeessentially block air from flowing past. On the other hand, as indicatedabove, the outer panels 118,119 are of shorter width than the innerpanels 120,121 and thus allow a portion of the cooling air to flowbetween them and the side panel of the enclosure 10. More specifically,the outer panels 118,119 divert a portion of the cooling air to theouter portions of the inlet grille of the equipment 128 and allow aportion of the cooling air to flow past. The portion of air that flowspast the outer panels 118,119 is blocked by the inner panels 120,121 sothat the remainder of the cooling air is directed to turn orthogonallyinto the inlet grille of the side breathing equipment 128.

The air directing device 112, and specifically, the widths of thevertical panels 118,119,120,121 should be designed to minimize airrestriction within the enclosure 10 while suppressing formation of airvortex zones in the forward and rear sections of the equipment 128. Inan enclosure 10, airflow through the side space 114 is restrictedsomewhat by the need to flow around the enclosure frame members, cablebundles, and other internal accessories. These restrictions cause theair velocity adjacent to the side panel to increase. The momentum effectof the airflow often generates an air vortex in the equipment 128. Moreparticularly, in enclosures that do not have an air directing device112, the momentum of the cooling air as it makes the orthogonal turnfrom flowing past the side of the equipment 128 toward the side of theequipment 128, and subsequently entering the equipment 128, typicallygenerates a vortex in the network equipment 128. The air vortex createsthe problem of recirculation that unfavorably effects the amount of heatthat is removed from the equipment 128. The presence of the airdirecting device 112 in the side space 114 of enclosure 10 reduces theformation of vortex zones thereby substantially eliminatingrecirculation within the side breathing equipment 128. Without arecirculation problem, cooling fans of the side breathing equipment 128are able to provide a maximum cooling effect for the side breathingequipment 128 thereby improving thermal management of the side breathingequipment 128.

The spacing of the vertical panels 118,119,120,121 of the air directingdevice 112 may vary based on the size and flow characteristics of theside breathing equipment 128 with which the air directing device 112 isassociated, the dimensions and placement of the equipment air intakegrille or grilles, and the like. In at least some embodiments, theequipment 128 may include a generally continuous air intake grilleextending a substantial distance along its side, the outer panels118,119 are located within the front-to-back envelope of the equipmentair intake grille, and the inner panels 120,121 are locatedsymmetrically about a vertically-oriented center plane of the equipmentair intake grille. The spacing of the inner panels 120,121 may beadjusted depending on the characteristics of the equipment 128. Taken tothe minimum limit, it is contemplated that the two inner panels 120,121may be reduced to a single inner panel 120,121.

The panels 118,119,120,121 of the air directing device 112 are ofsufficient thickness and stiffness to withstand the aerodynamic forcesrequired to redirect inlet air into the side breathing equipment. Inaddition, the materials selected should have mechanical and electricalproperties that are appropriate for a typical computer datacenterenvironment.

The air directing device 112 can be designed to mount to the sidebreathing equipment 128, the side panel, the enclosure frame structureor substructure, or any desired combination thereof. In at least someembodiments, the air directing device 112 is supported by horizontalmembers connected to the vertical mounting rails. Further, constructionmethods for the air directing device 112 may include injection moldedplastic, welded plastic, riveted plastic, riveted metal, welded metal,cast metal, or a combination of plastic and metal joined by rivets,adhesive, and the like. In addition, the panels 118,119,120,121 may bemanufactured from a number of materials including sheet metal orplastic.

As shown in FIG. 9, in operation, inlet airflow enters the side space114 where the air directing device 112 is located via perforated frontand rear doors or panels or other entry means that are known in the art.Fans located inside the electronic equipment 128 may be used to drawcooling air through the enclosure 10 and through the equipment 128. Fanslocated outside the electronic equipment 128 but inside the enclosure10, or located entirely outside the enclosure 10 may likewise be used topull or push cooling air through.

As described previously, the forward outer panel 118 of the airdirecting device 112 is positioned orthogonally to inlet airflowentering the side space 114 of the enclosure 10 such that a portion ofthe airflow is diverted near the forward edge of side breathingequipment 128 installed in the enclosure 10. A forward inner panel 120transects the side space 114 of the enclosure 10 and is used to directthe remaining air stream into the air intake grille of the equipment128. The set of rear panels 119,121 that mirror the forward panels118,120 is positioned symmetrically about a vertical center plane of theequipment intake grille. The rear set of panels 119,121 suppress therear vortex region thereby improving heat removal in the rear of theenclosure 10.

FIG. 10 is a computer simulation of the temperature inside an enclosure,having an air directing device 112 mounted therein in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention, as seen from inside theenclosure looking downward. As can be seen, the air directing device 112significantly reduces recirculation inside side breathing electronicequipment 128, thereby minimizing hot zones within the side breathingequipment 128. More particularly, the temperature in the front area 142of the equipment 128 is higher than the temperature in the area 140 nearthe intake, but only slightly so, and the temperature near the rear ofthe equipment 128 is not almost the same as in the area 140 near theintake.

The reduction leads to an optimal cooling efficiency for the equipmentand enclosure system. The addition of an air directing device 112enables side breathing equipment 128 in an enclosure 10 to operate withmore temperature uniformity, i.e., more uniformly cool, than is possiblein free air outside of an enclosure 10. By optimally positioning the airdirecting device 112, recirculation zones or vortices within theequipment 128 are diminished and passive cooling efficiency ismaximized.

Although not illustrated herein, it will be understood that in at leastsome embodiments, an air directing device may be provided that includesonly two panels, wherein one of the panels has a width similar to thatof the outer panels 118 and the other panel has a width similar to thatof the inner panels 120. The function of such an air directing device issimilar to that of the air directing device 112 described previously,except that it may be suitable for controlling airflow from only onedirection, i.e., from the front only or the rear only, but not both.Such a device may be appropriate if airflow is in fact only beingprovided from one direction to side breathing equipment 128.

The vertical dimensions of any of the air directing devices describedherein may be selected to match the amount of equipment, andparticularly side breathing equipment 128, that is to be mounted in agiven enclosure 10. To accomplish this, it is contemplated that in atleast one commercial embodiment, air directing devices having a varietyof different lengths, at least some of which are designed to extendsubstantially the entire height of enclosures 10 of known dimensions,are provided. When an installer or other user chooses to place sidebreathing equipment 128 in an enclosure 10, he may select an airdirecting device of a length corresponding to the amount and verticalplacement of such equipment 128 in the enclosure 10.

FIG. 11 is an isometric schematic view, shown with a side breathingequipment 128, utilizing side-to-side cooling, installed therein. In thearrangement depicted therein, it is assumed that the side breathingequipment 128 is of a type that receives cooling air through one or moreintakes located on the right side and exhausts it via one or moreoutlets on the left side. It will be appreciated that the variouselements of an airflow control system, the rear and side 3,4 and theexterior surfaces of the side breathing equipment 128 itself may createvarious plenums, including a right-front plenum and a right-rear plenum.It will be further appreciated that the right-front plenum is in fluidcommunication with a front portion of the intakes on the right side ofthe side breathing equipment 128, and that the right-rear plenum is influid communication with a rear portion of the intakes on the right sideof the side breathing equipment 128. Still further, it will beappreciated that the outlet or outlets of the side breathing equipment128, on the left side, are in fluid communication with the interior ofthe internal air duct 12.

FIG. 12 is a top cross-sectional schematic view of the enclosure system10 of FIG. 11, taken along line 11-11. As shown therein, cooling air(represented in FIG. 12 by large white arrows) is first routed throughthe front and rear of the enclosure and into the right plenum. This maybe accomplished via vents, perforations or other openings in the frontpanel 2, by opening a front door (where the front panel 2 includes oneor more doors) or by removing the front panel 2. The cooling air is thenrouted through the various channels in the air directing device 112 andinto the intake or intakes of the side breathing equipment 128. Exitingthe side breathing equipment 128, the heated exhaust air (represented inFIG. 12 by large black arrows) is routed through the opening of theinternal air duct 12, through the internal air duct 12, and out throughthe rear of the enclosure.

FIGS. 13-14 are various views of another air directing device 212 inaccordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. As showntherein, the air directing device 212 includes three vertical planarstructures or panels 118,119,120 disposed in generally parallelrelationship with one another and with the front and rear panels of theenclosure 10. Two outer panels 118,119 have similar width and one innerpanel 120 has a greater width than the two outer panels 118,119. As usedherein, the width of the panels 118,119,120 and particularly the widthof the inner panel 120 defines the depth of the air directing device212. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the two sides of the air directingdevice 112 are symmetric with respect to one another along imaginaryline 130.

The panels 118,119,120 are horizontally spaced a fixed distance from oneanother and are connected via top and bottom connection plates 222. Theconnection plates 222 may optionally be generally T-shaped with thecross arm 224 of the T-shape being relatively longer than the trunk 226of the T-shape. The length of the cross arm 124 is determined by thedistance between the two outer panels 118,119 of the air directingdevice 212, which in turn may be determined by the dimensions of theelectronic equipment with which the air directing device is to be used.The width of the cross arm 224 is determined by the width of the twoouter panels 118,119. The connection plates 222 may or may not have atrunk 226. To the extent that a trunk 226 is present in the connectionplates 222, the length of the trunk 226 of the T-shape is determined bythe width of the inner panel 120.

The air directing device 212 is disposed in the side space 114 of theenclosure 10, and more specifically, the air directing device 112 isvertically positioned near the inlet grille (not shown) of an activeside breathing piece of equipment 128 so that the air directing device212 is oriented generally orthogonally to the side breathing equipment128. As used herein, the term “side breathing equipment” may beunderstood to include any equipment that utilizes side-to-side cooling.

The vertical panels 118,119,120 form vertical fins that deflect coolingair into side breathing equipment 128 mounted in the enclosure 10. Morespecifically, in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 13-14, the innerpanel 120 is dimensioned such that the outer end comes in near proximityto the enclosure side panel, and therefore essentially blocks air fromflowing past. On the other hand, as indicated above, the outer panels118,119 are of shorter width than the inner panel 120 and thus allow aportion of the cooling air to flow between them and the side panel ofthe enclosure 10. More specifically, the outer panels 118,119 divert aportion of the cooling air to the outer portions of the inlet grille ofthe equipment 128 and allow a portion of the cooling air to flow past.The portion of air that flows past the outer panels 118,119 is blockedby the inner panel 120 so that the remainder of the cooling air isdirected to turn orthogonally into the inlet grille of the sidebreathing equipment 128.

In at least one still further embodiment not illustrated herein, an airdirecting device includes vertical panels of at least different widths,whereby at least one outer panel directs a first portion of the airflowin a side space of an electronic equipment enclosure toward sidebreathing equipment mounted in the enclosure but allows a second portionof airflow to pass thereby, at least one intermediate panel directs athird portion of the airflow toward the side breathing equipment butallows a fourth portion of the airflow to pass thereby, and at least oneinner panel directs some or all of the fourth portion of the airflowtoward the side breathing equipment.

In a still further feature of the present invention, any of theembodiments described or illustrated herein may be modified by anglingall or a portion of some or all of the vertical panels toward theequipment, by curving all or a portion of some or all of the verticalpanels toward the equipment, or both, thereby providing a smoothertransition for the orthogonal turn applied to the airflow. Such afeature may promote greater laminar flow and less turbulence, therebyincreasing the efficiency of the cooling process.

Based on the foregoing information, it is readily understood by thosepersons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible ofbroad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of thepresent invention other than those specifically described herein, aswell as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements,will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present inventionand the foregoing descriptions thereof, without departing from thesubstance or scope of the present invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein indetail in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understoodthat this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the presentinvention and is made merely for the purpose of providing a full andenabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is notintended to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwiseexclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations,modifications or equivalent arrangements; the present invention beinglimited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation.

1.-22. (canceled)
 23. A method of cooling side breathing electronicequipment in an electronic equipment enclosure formed from front, rear,and side panels mounted on a frame, comprising: routing a supply of coolair into a first plenum of the electronic equipment enclosure along anintake side of the side breathing electronic equipment, the supply ofcool air following a generally horizontal airflow path; routing a firstportion of the supply of cool air against a first vertically-orientedbaffle arranged orthogonally relative to the generally horizontalairflow path, thereby diverting the first portion of the supply of coolair into one or more air intake openings at the intake side of the sidebreathing electronic equipment; routing a second portion of the supplyof cool air past the first vertically-oriented baffle and against asecond vertically-oriented baffle, which is generally parallel andnon-coplanar with the first vertically-oriented baffle and includes awidth that is greater than a width of the first vertically-orientedbaffle, thereby diverting the second portion of the supply of cool airinto the one or more air intake openings at the intake side of the sidebreathing electronic equipment; and routing the first and secondportions of the supply of cool air through the side breathing electronicequipment, thereby cooling the side breathing electronic equipment, andthrough one or more air outlet openings at an outlet side of the sidebreathing electronic equipment into a second plenum of the electronicequipment enclosure along the outlet side of the side breathingelectronic equipment as heated exhaust air.
 24. The method of claim 23,wherein the second portion of the supply of cool air includessubstantially an entirety of a remainder of the supply of cool air notincluded in the first portion.
 25. The method of claim 23, furthercomprising routing the heated exhaust air from the second plenum throughan exit opening located at a rear of the electronic equipment enclosure.26. The method of claim 23, wherein the first vertically-oriented baffleis located between the front panel and the second vertically-orientedbaffle, and wherein the airflow path in the first plenum isfront-to-back.
 27. The method of claim 23, wherein the firstvertically-oriented baffle is located between the rear panel and thesecond vertically-oriented baffle, and wherein the airflow path in thefirst plenum is back-to-front.
 28. The method of claim 23, wherein thesecond vertically-oriented baffle abuts one of the side panels.
 29. Themethod of claim 28, wherein a gap exists between the firstvertically-oriented baffle and the one of the side panels such that thesecond portion of the supply of cool air passes through the gap.
 30. Themethod of claim 23, wherein one or more of the routing steps involveactively routing air.
 31. The method of claim 23, wherein one or more ofthe routing steps involve passively routing air.
 32. The method of claim23, wherein the first portion of the supply of cool air is diverted intoat least a forward one of the one or more air intake openings at theintake side of the side breathing electronic equipment and the secondportion of the supply of cool air is diverted into at least one of theone or more air intake openings that is rearward of the forward one ofthe one or more air intake openings.
 33. The method of claim 23, whereinthe side breathing electronic equipment includes a front side and a rearside, and wherein the first vertically-oriented baffle is disposedadjacent the side breathing electronic equipment, forward of the rearside of the side breathing electronic equipment and rearward of thefront side of the side breathing electronic equipment.
 34. The method ofclaim 33, wherein the second vertically-oriented baffle is disposedadjacent the side breathing electronic equipment, forward of the rearside of the side breathing electronic equipment and rearward of thefront side of the side breathing electronic equipment.
 35. A method ofcooling side breathing electronic equipment in an electronic equipmentenclosure formed from front, rear, and side panels mounted on a frame,comprising: routing a first supply of cool air into a first plenum ofthe electronic equipment enclosure along an intake side of the sidebreathing electronic equipment, the first supply of cool air following agenerally horizontal airflow path in a front-to-rear direction; routinga first portion of the first supply of cool air against a first outervertically-oriented baffle arranged orthogonally relative to thegenerally horizontal airflow path, thereby diverting the first portionof the first supply of cool air into one or more air intake openings atthe intake side of the side breathing electronic equipment; routing asecond portion of the first supply of cool air past the first outervertically-oriented baffle and against an inner vertically-orientedbaffle, which is generally parallel and non-coplanar with the firstouter vertically-oriented baffle and includes a width that is greaterthan a width of the first outer vertically-oriented baffle, therebydiverting the second portion of the first supply of cool air into theone or more air intake openings at the intake side of the side breathingelectronic equipment; routing a second supply of cool air into the firstplenum of the electronic equipment enclosure, the second supply of coolair following the generally horizontal airflow path in a rear-to-frontdirection; routing a first portion of the second supply of cool airagainst a second outer vertically-oriented baffle, which is generallyparallel and non-coplanar with each of the first outervertically-oriented baffle and the inner vertically-oriented baffle andincludes a width that is less than the width of the innervertically-oriented baffle, thereby diverting the first portion of thesecond supply of cool air into the one or more air intake openings atthe intake side of the side breathing electronic equipment; routing asecond portion of the second supply of cool air past the second outervertically-oriented baffle and against the inner vertically-orientedbaffle, thereby diverting the second portion of the second supply ofcool air into the one or more air intake openings at the intake side ofthe side breathing electronic equipment; and routing the first andsecond portions of the first and second supplies of cool air through theside breathing electronic equipment, thereby cooling the side breathingelectronic equipment, and through one or more air outlet openings at anoutlet side of the side breathing electronic equipment into a secondplenum of the electronic equipment enclosure along the outlet side ofthe side breathing electronic equipment as heated exhaust air.
 36. Themethod of claim 35, further comprising routing the heated exhaust airfrom the second plenum through an exit opening located at a rear of theelectronic equipment enclosure.
 37. The method of claim 35, wherein thefirst outer vertically-oriented baffle is located between the frontpanel and the inner vertically-oriented baffle.
 38. The method of claim35, wherein the second outer vertically-oriented baffle is locatedbetween the rear panel and the inner vertically-oriented baffle.
 39. Themethod of claim 35, wherein the inner vertically-oriented baffle islocated between the first and second outer vertically-oriented baffles.40. The method of claim 35, wherein the width of the first outervertically-oriented baffle is at least substantially the same as thewidth of the second outer vertically-oriented baffle.
 41. The method ofclaim 35, wherein one or more of the routing steps involve activelyrouting air.
 42. The method of claim 35, wherein one or more of therouting steps involve passively routing air.